Celebrities pick and play to benefit Hunter Worley Foundation

Celebrities pick and play to benefit Hunter Worley Foundation

September 14th, 2011by Mike O'Neal in Catoosa

Some big-name country music stars will play on the diamond and on stage this Sunday when the Hunter Worley Foundation hosts its first Celebrity Softball Jam at Park Properties Field off Cloud Springs Road.

"Come with your bat and glove, and play ball with your favorite celebrities," foundation board member Gary Anderson said. "Fans will be selected from the crowd to join both celebrity teams in a game to benefit the Hunter Worley Foundation and families in need."

The foundation was formed about 11 years ago, following the accidental death of 4-year-old Hunter, to provide a network of pastoral support, counseling and assistance for grieving families, Anderson said.

He said grief-stricken parents will ask "Why did this happen to me?" because the death of a child is unnatural.

"We all expect to bury parents, but no parent is ever prepared to bury their child," Anderson said. "The foundation is dedicated to helping with the financial, spiritual, emotional and legal assistance in this greatest hour of need."

After playing against a team of local radio personalities in a celebrity softball game, a group of Nashville-based musicians will trade their bats and mitts for guitars and mics in what organizers hope will become an annual event.

IF YOU GO

What: The Hunter Worley Foundation Celebrity Softball Jam, a benefit softball game and country music concert.

Where: Park Properties Field, located one mile from Costco on Cloud Springs Road between Interstate 75 and Dietz Road.

When: Sunday, Sept. 18. Game begins at 1 p.m. with concert at about 4 p.m.

Cost: Entry is free of charge but donations are appreciated. Concessions and raffle will be available. All proceeds will go to the Hunter Worley Foundation.

From Nashville, celebrities will include Danny Shirley and the Confederate Railroad Band, Cody McCarver and Roger Alan Wade, among others.

"Luther Massengill, from Sunny 92.3 FM, will roll out the first pitch and [Chattanooga City Court] Judge Russell Bean will umpire," Anderson said.

Shirley, McCarver and Wade will perform an outdoor concert with local musicians in an oak grove next to the ball field and raffle a signed Ovation guitar.

There is no charge to attend either the ball game or concert but donations will be welcome.

The foundation has no expenses and the musicians are playing for free, so all money raised through the sale of raffle tickets and concessions, as well as donations, will go to the foundation's work, Anderson said.

"We are looking to having a good time while raising some money and awareness of the Hunter Worley Foundation," he said.